National Training Manager

• The National Training Manager holds strategic leadership and overall accountability for the Learning & Development function across the company. The role sets national Learning & Development strategy, owns regulatory and statutory compliance, promotes and drives MORSE learning and competency culture, and ensures all training is compliant with the company and industry standards. This position leads a tiered training organization, dedicated to deliver safe, compliant, high-quality training across all seven SA airports and across the Ground Handling, Cargo, and VIP & Lounges streams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the national Learning & Development strategy for South Africa, aligned with the company's global framework and business objectives.
• Provide strategic leadership across Ground Handling, Cargo, VIP & Lounges, ensuring consistent training standards across the SA network.
• Ensure compliance with SACAA, ISAGO, IOSA, 8 Pillar, 5 Star, TETA, B-BBEE and Employment Equity requirements.
• Take overall accountability for SACAA accreditation, training governance, audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Act as the Primary Skills Development Facilitator (SDF), overseeing WSP/ATR submissions, grant funding and skills-development initiatives.
• Lead and develop the Learning & Development management team, building capability, succession and career progression within the training function.
• Oversee the national training calendar, ensuring effective delivery of operational, regulatory, mandatory and airline-specific training.
• Set and monitor national training KPIs, quality standards, competency and operational readiness.
• Own and manage the national training and skills-development budget, driving cost efficiency, grant recovery and ROI.
• Maintain strong relationships with SACAA, TETA, operational leadership, HR, Risk and Employment Equity stakeholders.
• Represent South Africa Learning & Development at regional and company global forums, promoting a strong learning, safety, competency and continuous improvement culture.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications | Years of Experience

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in HR, Learning & Development, or a related field.
• Postgraduate qualification preferred.
• ODETDP (NQF 5/6).
• SDF accreditation.

Experience

• Extensive senior Learning & Development leadership experience, preferably within aviation or a highly regulated, safety-critical environment.
• Proven experience leading multi-site training teams through a management structure.
• Demonstrated experience with:
• SACAA accreditation
• SETA/WSP/ATR
• B-BBEE Skills Development
• Employment Equity
• Proven experience managing a significant training budget, including grant optimisation and ROI

Skills and Competencies
Skills

• Strong knowledge of labour and skills-development legislation.
• Strong strategic, analytical and systems-thinking capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to engage effectively with regulators and executive leadership.
• Strong people leadership, coaching, succession planning and decision-making skills.

Competencies

• Highly compliance-focused.
• Commercially minded.
• Results-driven.
• Strong leadership and strategic decision-making ability.
• Ability to manage and influence stakeholders at different levels.
• Ability to align Learning & Development with business and regulatory requirements.